Nancy Pelosi Decides To Stay On As House Democratic Leader

Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi will stay on a the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, she announced on Wednesday. In her remarks, she cited the work that still needs to be done — particularly underscoring the need to empower women.

Pelosi remarked that when she first came to Congress there were only 23 women in the House, whereas now there are over 60 House Democrats who are women. But that’s “not enough,” she said. “We want more.”

Amid her remarks, she briefly flubbed, saying, “We don’t have the majority, but we have the gavel.” Laughing, she corrected herself, noting that while they Democrats don’t have the majority they do have unity.

For the country to reach its fullest potential, she said, we must have more empowerment of women. “We must lift up women’s leadership in our economy,” she said, “in any subject you can name.”

Mentioning the election, Pelosi noted that that women came to the polls and “registered their support for those who understood the challenges that women face.”

Tying it in with her desire to “continue work on empowering women,” Pelosi formally stated her decision to stay on as Minority Leader. “I have made a decision,” she said, “to submit my name to my colleagues to once again serve as the House Democratic leader.”